Alderwasley Hall School, near Matlock, has been highly praised for its good teaching and use of therapies which support young people with speech and language needs back into education and enables them to make good academic progress.
 Inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education visited the School last month. They described the curriculum as broad, balanced and well planned. The Inspectors commented extremely positively on the effectiveness of the joint working of teaching and therapy staff in meeting students needs which  Inspectors described as  ‘a strength of the school’s work’ and which has a significant impact in students progress and achievements.  They also described the schools use of Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy to support students as an impressive feature of the school’s work.

The school, which offers young people between the ages of 5 to 19 years of age day and residential placements, was also commended for its commitment to extending the curriculum outside of the school through links with other local schools, colleges and providers to enhance the social skills and independence of the young people.

Students attending the sixth form based on Callow Park College, near Wirksworth, follow an individualised curriculum which consists of a range of courses taught at Entry level 3, up to A2 level in, for example, functional skills, enrichment, careers guidance, Personal, Social and Health Education and life skills as well as opportunities to attend courses with partnership organisations including AS and A level courses. This prepares them for the next stage of their lives. This has been successful as most students go on to further education, training or employment.